Link chain



Sept H. HOLLMANN ETAL Re. 22,380

LINK CHAIN Original Filed March 20.

Huberf Ha/lmamn lV/W/a/z 6 Vanl aarb/ls Reissued Sept. 28, 1943 Voorhis, Buckeye Columbus, Ohio, assignors'. to, Traction Ditcher Company; .Filidlitfi.

Z Ohio, a corporatlo'n'of ()hjqy Original No;

Serial- No. 268,'087;-March 20,

2,230,451, datemmraime, 1941;,

1939. Applications;

forreissueFeblm y. 1, 1943,;Serial Nm-475A6 4:

This invention"relatesztochains; and isipar ticularly directed @to' a solid, link, chain structure; of a character adapted for use inexcavatingmnd. like machines. I I I 'An object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved pivotal connecting means between the adjacent links'of acliain structure, 1211670011- necting means being-replaceable as well as -r'elativ ely adjustable to subject adjacently disposed surfaces. therebetween to substantially uniiorm wearr A A further object of the invention is to provide a pivot pin and cOoperatingbushingarrangement that is readily inspectablein order to de-: termine the amount of'wear thereon, soithaLtthae wearingsurfaces may be relatively alteredoriree placed when necessary. I

I A still further :objecttof theinvention is to pro-- vide a compact lmk chain structure: whereimthe pivot pin is fixed. against-rotation with respect other surfaces v remain in com.

ratively; good COYldltlOlt:

- Accordingly; .byl-m-ems oaths present invention the: pivotal Econnectingi structureusarranged--. to enhance-1 the-dire of, the: connecting linla and particularly; of thb' cooperating pivot! pin and bushingsw 'Iihcv 'conmcting :linlr parts-. I4 and l6! a/reformed at eacheiitremitygwith ofiset end tions illiand; mosses- 22a. Each boss 2 2-is provided withamaperture llwinteriorly, splined as at 26w.to--provide;apmultiplicitysobalternateainwardly'extendingq elongateraadial ribs 21 and elongatetgrooves 28a The; innerand of: eachpir then'apertures 2|- iisvrewssed as at 30 to provide arm.amrrulari shoulder stop- HI against zwhich abutszontwandlyfextendingilugsrformed on. the

to its supporting link, andthe pivot pin bushing:-

locating means are arranged to permit a multiplicity of step-bystep' alterations between the wearing surfacesto compensateior wear therebetween.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom a study of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a form of the invention illustrating the pivotal connection between adjacent links of a chain and the means for altering the position of the wearing surfaces between the links; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Referring to thedrawing and particularly to Figure 1 thereof, It illustrates an attachment link, I2 a center link, and I4 and I6 a pair of cooperating parts of a connecting link for coupling the links it] and I! together through the medium of a pivot pin l8. In a chain of this character the several links are generally pivotally connected together to permit relative angular movement therebetween but prevent lateral movement, and

thus provide a laterally rigid chain of links. However, relative angular pivotal movement between the links causes uneven wear on the pivotal connection because of the longitudinal pull on the chain, and also due to the fact that the links pivot over a comparatively small are, as will be readily understood; As a result, most of the wear takes place between diametrically opposed portions of adjacent links and pins while the inner: end 'ofir-eachbushin'giflc therebyyto limit the axial movement of thefinishing!iwithrn theirre spective apertures. a

Each: bushing: 32:. is generally or: anmrlari form providedrwith aacylindrical bore 38 iandra splineda exterior: surface twpresentm plurahty of; altene irate ribs-arid grooves-'34 ian'd filirespeotivelyi and co'rrespondirrg iiinumber: size: to-thei' ribs and grooves provided in thewall of the aperture 24. A lug 36 is formed on the inner end of each I of the ribs 21 for th purpose above described. From the description thus far, it will be noted that bushings 32 are receivable in the apertures 24 in a number of different relative positions and that cooperating means are provided on the links and bushings to prevent lateral displacement of the bushings in one direction.

The links H! and H are provided adjacent their extremities with apertures 40 of generally rectangular form having arcuate end surfaces 42. The apertures 40 are thus arranged to receive enlarged intermediate portions 44 of pins I8, portions 44 being of a form similar to that of the apertures 40. On opposite sides of the enlarged portions 44 are cylindrical bearing surfaces 45 fitting the bores 33 of the bushings 32 so that the bushings and pins can rock relative to each other.

When the parts l4 and I6 of theconnecting link are assembled, the laterally offset portions 20 provide a yoke at each end, between each pair of legs of which is received the end portion of an adjacent link element. The parts I4 and I6 of the connecting link are separably secured together by means of a pair of nut and bolt assembli'es 48. Thus the bushings 32 may be inserted in the apertures 24 from the inside andthe links 14 and I6 subsequently assembled with the links I0 and I2, so that the cylindrical bearing surfaces of the pin l8 are received within the Y a space somewhat wider than thefthickness of the end of the link H1] Suchfan arrangement provides clearance between adjacent links which militates against constant frictional engagement therebetween for the purpose of reducing wear to a minimum. Itwill be noted also that during;

use, the wear on the bushings occurs on dia metrically opposed surfaceslbngitudinally' of -the, f

an internal shoulder at the junction of each aperture and its respective counterbore, a bushing having corresponding ribs and grooves fitting each aperture, radial lugs formed at the inner ends of the ribs of eachsaid bushing and engageable, with; the shoulder formedby said counterbore to limit outward movement of said i bushing, a second link extendingbetween said end parts having an opening aligned with said =apertures, a pin having an enlargedcentral portion fitting said opening and non-rotatably relinks, and when such portions become worn'sufiiciently, the structure may be readily disassemv bled. and the bushings removed and turned slightly with respect to theiaperturex topresentxa new unworn bearing portions the pins ll. l I Likewise the pins l8 may berturned through an' 'ceived' therein, said enlarged central portion having sides against which the inner ends of said bushings; "bear, to prevent inward movement thereof" and "to constitute a bearing surface therefor, whereby said bushings are retained in arc of 180 topresent relativelyunwornbearing surfaces, as will be readily understood.

Thus it is possible to make use ofthe same bushings for a long period of timeisincei the ment to presentnew bearingsurfaces to the pins in those regions subjected to greatest wear. The lugs 38 ontheinneren'd-of each bushing not only limit the axialmoyementthereof:but'also form asurface against'which the adjacent pin part may n n series of alternating. ribsandz'grooves communisplined connection enables slight turning adjustabut, thus providing a satisfactorybearing sur I face betweentwo-surfaces treated-to resistwear.

' Although theinvention has been described in,

connection with chain 'structuresof a particular type, it is to be understoodIthat the arrangement of the cooperating "pivotal 1 bearing surfaces maybe utilized in other structures, and thatvthe inxe vention is notto be limitedto the particular arrangement-chosen for illustration, exceptas 'defined in theappendedclaims. i

What we claim is: 1. chain comprising a link having laterally spaced separable end partsiormed with aligned apertures, each aperture having an" annular series of alternating ribs and grooves communicating with a counterboreof enlargeddiameter the counterbored portions of the first said link andare prevented from shifting laterally,

2.. A chain comprising a link having laterally spaced separable endparts formed with aligned apertures, each aperture having ran "annular cating with a v.counterbor e 1 of. enlarged diameter,

an'internal shoulder at the junctionv of eachaperture. and its respective counterbore, [a' bushing having. correspondinguribs'and groovesfit ting each aperture, radially extendingluglmeans at the inner ends of each ofsaid bushings and engageable with the shoulder 7 formed; Iby said counterbore to limit, outward movement of 's'aid '1 ceived therein,. .said J enlarged central portion;

having'sides againstvwhich thexinner ends of said bushings bear to prevent ,xinward, movement thereof and :to constituteanbearing surface therefor, whereby, said bushings are retained in thevcbunterboredf portions r01 5 the first said link I and "are" preventedfromshifting laterally.

ivoo His, 1 

